Device for spreading granular and/or powdery material

ABSTRACT

Distribution members of a spreading device are disposed closely adjacent to each other. The distance between the points of closest approach of the distribution members being about two centimeters with the outside diameter of each distribution member being about thirty-five centimeters. Flow of material to each distribution member of the spreading device is controlled by a delivery member which comprises dosing plates that are independently displaceable relatively to each other and to the bottom of the device&#39;s hopper. The dosing plates and the hopper&#39;s bottom have openings which cooperate with one another in an adjustable manner which makes it possible to adjust independently the position of the delivery of material to the distribution member both in radial and circumferential directions, and to adjust the size of the openings.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 498,192 filedMay 6, 1983, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for spreading granular and/or powderymaterial, such as fertilizer, seeds or similar material, comprising aframe, a hopper and at least two distribution members adapted to moveabout rotary axes.

According to the invention the two distribution members are arranged ata short distance from one another and coupled with a driving mechanismdesigned so that the distribution members can be driven as desired withany one of two or more different speeds. In this way a device isobtained by which the width over which the material is spread in one runcan be controlled in a simple manner, while a uniform distributionpattern is obtained. An advantageous disposition of the distributionmembers is obtained when the parts of the distribution members nearestone another are spaced apart by a distance of about two centimeters.

An advantageous construction of the device embodying the invention isobtained when during the operation of the device of parts farthestremote from the rotary axes of the distribution members are moving on acircle having a diameter of about thirty-five centimeters.

A further aspect of the invention is concerned with a device of the kindset forth in the preamble in which the distribution members are coupledwith a driving mechanism which is formed so that the distributionmembers can be rotated with a speed of at least 1040 rev/min. As aresult the material can be very uniformly spread over a large width.According to a further aspect it is advantageous for the drivingmechanism of the distribution members to comprise a plurality of gearwheels arranged in a gear box and being in mesh with one another betweenthe distribution members, which are thereby coupled with one another. Inthis way it can be ensured that the two distribution members are drivenwith the same speed of rotation.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a device of the kind setforth in which in accordance with the invention the gear wheels arrangedbetween the two distribution members are spur gear wheels rotatableabout upwardly extending rotary axes and arranged in a gear box forminga flat, hollow beam between frame parts. This can have an advantageouseffect on a low construction of the device.

According to a further aspect of the invention in a device of the kindset forth the hopper is made from a single piece of material. In thisway the hopper can be readily made, while its lifetime will besatisfactory. The quantity of material to be carried for a run can beeffectively increased by mounting an extension piece on the hopper.

According to a further aspect of the invention the hopper has twodelivery spouts, each of which adjoins a distribution member, whereby atleast one delivery spout is provided with delivery means adapted to movewith respect to the hopper in a manner such that the place where thematerial is fed to the distribution member is displaceable about therotary axis of the distribution member or in a radial direction relativeto the rotary axis of the distribution member or both, thecircumferential angle through which the material leaves thecircumference of the distribution member being adjustable. In this way aspreading device is obtained by which the material can be spread in manyways so that during its travel the device can spread the material asdesired for example, either on a narrow strip or on a very wide strip.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how itmay be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a spreading device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device taken in the direction of thearrow II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device of FIGS. 1 to 3, the hopper beingomitted;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 4, the distribution membersbeing omitted;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line VI--VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view, in the direction of the arrow VII in FIG. 6,of a dosing mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the hopper bottom;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a first dosing disc;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second dosing disc;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third dosing disc;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a fourth dosing disc;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the dosing mechanism and a distribution memberand;

FIG. 14 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 13 but which shows theparts in a different operative condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The spreading device illustrated in the Figures comprises a frame 1, onwhich a hopper 2 is arranged and which is provided with two distributionmembers 3 and 4, which are located beneath the hopper. The frame 1 has asymmetrical shape with respect to the vertical plane 7 going through thelongitudinal center line of the device and extending in the intendeddirection 69 of operative travel of the device. The frame comprises twoside beams 5 and 6 bent in the form of a U and extending parallel to alongitudinal plane 7. Each of the side beams 5 and 6 has a straightupper limb 8 and a straight lower limb 9, these limbs being horizontalin the horizontal position of the device. The limbs 9 of the frame beams5 and 6 are interconnected by a square-section, hollow transverse beam10 and a channel-shaped rear beam 11 fastened to the ends of the limbs9. The limbs of the rear beam 11 have aligned holes 12, the centers ofwhich are located in the longitudinal plane 7. The limbs 8 areinterconnected by a v-shaped tie beam 13 fastened to the upper surfacesof the limbs 8 and being furthermore fastened to the beams 5 and 6 bystruts 14. The tie beam 13 slopes upwardly and forwardly away from thelimbs 8 at an angle of about 45°. At their curved leading portions thebeams 5 and 6 are each provided with two coupling strips 15, and thecurved top part of the beam 13 is provided with coupling strips 16.

Each of the side beams 5 and 6 is provided with an angle-sectioncarrying beam 20, which is parallel to the limbs 8 and 9. The carryingbeams 20 extend away from the curved parts of the side beams 5 and 6 inthe same direction as the limbs 8 and 9 and from the curved parts theyextend to the rear with respect to the usually forward direction 69. Theconnection of the carrying beams 20 with the side beams is reinforced byvertical stiffening plates 21 located between the respective limbs 8 andthe beam 20. The carrying beams 20 are intercoupled by a horizontal gearbox 22. The gear box 22 comprises a lower panel 23 to the ends of whichare welded fastening plates 24 which are connected with the carryingbeams 20 by means of bolts 25. The gear box 22 comprises an upper panel26, which is coupled with the lower panel by means of bolts 27. Thebolts 27 extend across protruding rims 28 and 29 of the lower and upperpanels and the lower and upper panels are symmetrical with respect tothe horizontal plane where the lower and upper panels join one anotheras is shown in the Figures.

In the gear box 22 are journalled parallel shafts 31 and 32 extendingupwards in a vertical direction. On these shafts are arranged thedistribution members 3 and 4 as is shown in detail in FIG. 6 for theshaft 32. Each of the distribution members 3 and 4 comprises a plate 33fastened at right angles to the shaft concerned and provided withejection blades 34. The plates 33 of the two distribution members arelocated with their ejection blades at the same level and are rotatablein the same plane. The ejection blades 34 of the two distributionmembers are angularly offset from one another with the result that theypass alternately the point of closest approach of the two distributionmembers.

As is shown in FIG. 6 for the shaft 32, the shafts 31 and 32 arejournalled in a bearing housing 35 arranged in the lower panel 23 and abearing housing 36 arranged in the upper panel 26. The shafts 31 and 32are provided with spur gear wheels 37 and 38, located in the gear box.Between the gear wheels 37 and 38 are arranged two gear wheels 39 and40. The gear wheels 37 to 40 are in horizontal positions and in meshwith one another as will be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5. The gear wheels39 and 40 are arranged on vertical shafts 41 and 42, which arejournalled in the gear box in bearing housings corresponding with thebearing housings 35 and 36 of FIG. 6. The shaft 42 extends downwardsacross the bearing housing in the lower panel and its lower end islocated in a gear box 43 forming a driving box. The gear box 43 isarranged in a manner not shown in detail at the lower side of the gearbox 22 and is provided with a driving shaft 44, which extends in ahorizontal direction in the horizontal position of the device and has anend 45 emerging from the front side of the gear box 43 which constitutesa coupling part. The shaft 44 is provided with a spur gear wheel 46,which co-operates with a spur gear wheel 47. The gear wheel 47 isarranged on a shaft 48 which is journalled in the gear box 43 and isparallel to the shaft 44. The shaft 48 is provided with a bevel gearwheel 49 which is in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 50 on the shaft 42.The gear wheels 46 and 47 are releasably arranged on the shafts 44 and48 respectively and constitute with one another and, as the case may be,with other sets of gear wheels, exchangeable and interchangeable sets ofgear wheels. The gear box 43 is provided with a readily removable cover51 for exchanging and interchanging the gear wheels 46 and 47. The cover51 is provided to this end with knobs 52.

At the coupling strips 16 the frame 1 is provided with a fastening plate55 and the ends of the limbs 8 of the side beams 5, 6 are provided withsupports 56. The hopper 2 is mounted in the frame 1 on the fasteningplate 55 and the supports 56 by means of bolts 57 and 58 respectively.The hopper 2 constitutes a single unit, which may be obtained bypressing a metal plate, while the two delivery spouts 59 and 60 areformed on the hopper 2. The hopper 2 has four flat sides and has arectangular shape, viewed on plan. The delivery spouts 59 and 60 changefrom top to bottom into round bottom openings 61 and 62. The deliveryspouts 59 and 60 are located above the distribution members 3 and 4 andthe center lines 63 and 64 of the shafts 31 and 32 coincide with thecenter lines of the openings 61 and 62. The center lines 63 and 64,which constitute rotary axes of the distribution members 3 and 4, arespaced apart by a distance 65, which is only slightly greater than thediameter 66 of the distribution members 3 and 4 as will be apparent fromFIGS. 1 and 4. The proximal sides of the distribution members 3 and 4are spaced apart by a very short distance 67, for example, twocentimeters. The two distribution members 3 and 4 are arranged side byside so that the center lines 63 and 64 are located in a vertical plane68 extending transversely of the direction 69, when the machine is in ahorizontal position. The hopper 2 is symmetrical to the plane 7 as wellas to the plane 68. The front and rear walls 70 and 71 respectively ofthe hopper are at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. The front wall 70extends along the beam 13 (FIG. 2). Near the top, the walls 70 and 71are interconnected by a stiffening bar 76, which is horizontal in ahorizontal position of the device and extends in the direction 69. Thecenter line of the stiffening bar 76 is located in the plane 7. Theintegral hopper has a height 72, which is four to five times the height73 of the individual delivery spouts 59 and 60. The middle of eachsupport 56 is located in the plane 68 and the limb 8 of each side beam 5and 6 terminates in front of the plane 68, whereas the limb 9 of each ofthese beams is located at a distance behind the plane 68 such that, asviewed on plan, the beam 11 is farther away from the plane 68 than isthe circumference of each distribution member 3 and 4, as will beparticularly apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4.

At the top, the hopper 2 has a bent-over rim 74, on which an extendingpiece 75 can be arranged to enlarge the hopper capacity. The extendingpiece 75 is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by broken lines.

The bottom openings 61 and 62 of the delivery spouts 59 and 60 areprovided with bottom plates 80 and 81, which are rigidly secured to theundersides of the delivery spouts 59 and 60 respectively. Between thedelivery spouts and the respective distribution members are arrangeddosing mechanisms 86, each of which comprises four dosing plates 82, 83,84, and 85, as is shown in detail for the dosing mechanism 86 betweenthe bottom 81 and the distribution member 4. The bottom plate 81 andeach of the dosing plates 82 and 85 have a central opening 87, throughwhich extends the shafts 32 of the distribution member 4 down to theunderside of the delivery spout 60. The centers of the openings 87coincide with the rotary axis 64. In the delivery spout 60 the shaft 32is provided with a member 88 for agitating material therein. The dosingplates 82 to 85 are adapted to be turned about the shaft 32 with respectto one another and to the bottom 81. To this end each of the dosingplates 82 to 85 is connected with a setting mechanism by which they canbe displaced and be maintained in a desired position relative to oneanother and to the bottom 81. The connection of the dosing plates withthe setting mechanism and the setting mechanism are not shown, variousoperable constructive and arrangements of same being within the skill ofthe art. Similarly dosing plates 82 to 85 are arranged in the device aswould occur to one skilled in the art so that they can be readily turnedwith respect to one another, while the dosing plate 82 can be readilyturned with respect to the bottom 81.

Viewed with respect to the direction 69, in front of the shaft 32, thebottom plate 81 has a delivery orifice 91 extending on both sides of avertical plane 92 extending in the direction 69 and containing therotary axis 64. The delivery orifice 91 subtends an angle 93 of about98° at the rotary axis 64. The orifice 91 covers an angle 95 of about60° on the side of the vertical plane 92 remote from delivery spout 59with the distribution member 3. On the side of the plane 92 where thedelivery spout 59 is located, the orifice 91 covers a further angle 94of about 38°. In a radial direction of the orifice 91 covers a distance96, which is substantially equal to the whole radial distance of thebottom plate 81, there being provided, however, near the hole 87 a smallrim 97 and near the outer circumference a small rim 98. The dosing plate82 has passages 100 and 101 extending in a radial direction with respectto the rotary axis 64 over a distance equal to the distance 96 and,viewed in a radial direction, they are located below the deliveryorifice 91. The passages 100 and 101 are separated from one another by asmall arcuate strip 102 and each of them covers equal distances 103 and104, measured in a radial direction. The passage 100 covers an angle 105of about 35° around the axis 64, whereas the passage 101 covers an angle106 of about 115° around the rotary axis 64. The passage 100 is nearerthe rotary axis 64 than the passage 101 and is located inside the angle106 of the passage 101. The passage 100 is spaced apart by an angle 107of about 30° from the end 108 of the passage 101. Said end 108 beingremote from the side of the dosing plate directed to the interior of thedevice, or respectively, the other delivery spout 59.

The dosing plate 83 has passages 109 and 110, the size and location ofwhich relative to one another and to the rotary axis correspond withthose of the passages 100 and 101 of the dosing plate 82. The dosingplates 82 and 83 are identical. The dosing plate 84 has two passages 115and 116 spaced apart in a radial direction to the rotary axis 64 by adistance such that the passage 115 is nearer the rotary axis 64 than thepassage 116. The passages 115 and 116 extend in a radial direction, likethe passages in the bottom 81 and the dosing plates 82 and 83, over adistance 96. In a radial sense the passages 115 and 116 cover equaldistance 103 and 104 so that their distance from the rotary axis 64correspond with the distance between the passages 100, 101 and 109, 110and the axis 64. The passage 115 covers an angle 117 of about 90° aroundthe rotary axis 64, whereas the passage 116 covers an angle 118 of about25° around the axis 64. The passage 116 is located completely inside theangle 117 and the passage 116 is off-set through an angle 119 of about30° with respect to the radial side 120 of the angle 115 remote from themedium side of the device or, respectively, the other delivery spout 59.The dosing plate 85 is identical to the dosing plate 84 and has twopassages 121 and 122, the size of which is equal to that of the passages115 and 116, while their positions relative to one another and to therotary axis 64 are the same as those of the passages 115 and 116.

Like the bottom plate 81 the bottom plate 80 has a delivery orifice 91.However, the delivery orifice in the bottom plate 80 is located so thatwith the orifice 91 it is symmetrical to the vertical, longitudinalplane 7. Below the bottom plate 80 is arranged a dosing mechanismsimilar to the dosing mechanism 86 and also having four dosing platessimilar to dosing plates 82 to 85. The passages in the dosing platesbeneath the bottom plate 80, as stated for the delivery orifices in thebottom plates 80 and 81, are symmetrical to the vertical plane 7.

When the device is put into use, it is hitched via the coupling strips15 and 16 to the three-point lifting device of a tractor. The couplingend 45 of the driving shaft 44 is coupled with the power take-off shaftof the tractor or a similar vehicle. The device serves to spreaddistributable material, particularly fertilizer, seeds or similarsubstances on a field. The material can be carried in the hopper 2. Theamount of material carried for a single run may be raised by mountingthe extension rims 75 on the upper rim 74 of the hopper 2 so that, forexample, twice the initial amount of material can be carried by thedevice.

The material can be fed from the hopper 2 to the distribution members 3and 4 through the delivery orifices 91 in the bottoms 80 and 81 andthrough the passages of the various dosing plates 82 to 85. Forspreading the material the distribution members 3 and 4 are rotated inthe direction of the arrows 125 and 126 from the power take-off shaft ofthe tractor via the driving shaft 44 and the gear wheels in the gear box43 and the gear box 22. The distribution members rotate in oppositesenses and the proximal sides of the distribution members move in thedirection 69.

The direction in which the material is ejected by each of thedistribution members having a given diameter 60 depends on the speed ofrotation of the distribution member and the place where the material isfed from the hopper to the distribution member with respect to therotary axis of the distribution member and the direction of movement 69.The speed of rotation of the distribution members 3 and 4 may be varied,as desired to any one of several values by interchanging the gear wheels46 and 47 or by exchanging these gear wheels for a different set of gearwheels. Within the limits imposed by the orifice 91, the place on eachof the distribution members which receives the material can be changedby turning one or more of the dosing plates 82 to 85 with respect to oneanother and/or with respect to the bottom 80 or 81 respectively. Thepassages 100 and 109 co-operating with one another constitute a portlocated below the orifice 91 of the bottom 81 and relatively near therotary axis 64. The passages 116 and 122 of the dosing plates 84 and 85forms a port relatively remote from the rotary axis 64 below the orifice91 and below the elongate passages 101 and 110. The passages 100 and 109co-operate below the orifice 91 and above the passages 115 and 121 toform a port or delivery opening of a given size to deliver material outof the hopper. The place of the passages 100 and 109 within thecircumferential angle 93 of the orifice 91 and the circumferential angle117 of the passages 115 and 121 is adjustable about the rotary axis 64.The registering passages 116 and 122 constitute a port or outlet openingof a given size below the orifice 91 and below the passages 101 and 110,said size being variable within the circumferential angle 93 of theorifice 91 and the circumferential angles 106 of the passages 101 and110 about the rotary axis 64. The sectors in which are located thevarious orifices in the bottom and the various dosing plates are chosenso that the port formed by the passages 100 and 109 and the port formedby the passages 116 and 122 can be shifted, within given limits,relatively to one another and/or in common about the rotary axis 64 andalso be fixed in their desired positions. Therefore, the place receivingthe material on the distribution member concerned can be widely varied.It is particularly important that, measured in a radial direction, thematerial should be fed over a comparatively large distance 96 to thedistribution member and that the place where the material can be fedthrough the passages 100 and 109, near the axis 64, to the distributionmember should be displaceable with respect to the place where thematerial is fed thorugh the passages 116 and 122, farther from therotary axis 64, to the distribution member.

Thanks to the resultant adjustability of the passages about the rotaryaxis 64 with respect to the direction 69, the circumferential angles inwhich the material leaves the circumference of the distribution membercan be varied within wide limits. It is important that the materialflowing through the port formed by the passages 100 and 109 should reachthe distribution member farther away from the circumference thereof anhence should cover a longer path on the distribution member than thematerial fed to the distribution member through the port formed by thepassages 116 and 122. The ports formed by the passges 100 and 109 andthe passages 116 and 122 can be disposed relatively to one another sothat the flows from these ports reach the distribution member more orless separately and move along adjacent or contiguous paths of thedistribution member towards the circumference thereof so that thematerial can leave the circumference of the distribution member over alarge circumferential angle. However, the dosing plates 82 to 85 canalso be adjusted so that the material fed through the passages 100 and109 to the distribution member moves towards the circumference thereofalong a path which coincides with the path along which the material fedthrough the passages 116 and 122 moves to the circumference of saiddistribution member. When the two paths overlap one another, thematerial will leave the circumference of the distribution member over arelatively small circumferential angle.

A satisfactory feed of material to the distribution members is obtainedwhen, viewed in a direction parallel to the rotary axes, the passagesare located inside an imaginary circle 137 on which are located theinner ends 138 of the ejection blades 34. The speed of rotation of thedistribution members and the place where the material is fed to thedistribution members can be set so that the material can be spread atwill in one of a large number of directions in sectors of selected widthby each of the distribution members.

The location of the orifices 91 and the bottoms 80 and 81, the sense ofrotation and the variable speed of rotation of the distribution membersas well as the diameters thereof are chosen so that the distributionmembers can spread the material in coinciding sectors or in sectorscoinciding partly or not coinciding at all.

The device is particularly suitable for spreading material in a mannersuch that the distribution members cover coinciding sectors. To this endthe distribution members rotate in the opposite senses 125 and 126 whilethe delivery orifices 91 and the passages in the various dosing platesare located symmetrically on both sides of the plane 7 so that thedistribution members spread the material in symmetry with respect to thevertical plane 7. In order to cover the widest possible strip of landduring the movement of the device in the direction 69 the speed ofrotation of the distribution members will be relatively high and theplace of reception of the material on the distribution members will beset so that the material leaves the circumference of the distributionmembers in a large circumferential angle whereby it is spread over awide sector.

FIG. 13 shows a position of the dosing plates 82 to 85 in which thematerial leaves the circumference of the distribution member in acircumferential angle 128 (FIGS. 4 and 13) of about 150°. To this endthe passages 100 and 109 are set so that they form a port 129 which,with respect to the direction of rotation 126, leads with respect to afurther port 130 formed by the passages 116 and 122. The ports 129 and130 constitute the outlets of the delivery means of the hopper formed bythe bottom 80 and the dosing plates 82 to 85. Since the bottom 80 withthe dosing plates 82 to 85 are in a horizontal position like thedistribution member 4, the location of the ports 129 and 130 willcorrespond to the place where the material reaches the distributionmember. Owing to said position of the ports 129 and 130 the materialwill arrive at the distribution member in a manner such that thematerial passing through the two ports will flow along adjacent paths ofthe distribution member towards the circumference thereof so that itreaches and passes beyond the circumference through the largecircumferential angle 128. Above the distribution member 3 portscorresponding with the ports 129, 130 below the bottom 80 with thedosing plates 82 to 85 are set symmetrically to the plane 70 so that thedistribution member 3 spreads the material through a circumferentialangle 127 of about 150°. The sectors 134 and 135 thus covered by thedistribution members 3 and 4 are symmetrical relative to the verticalplane 7, while at the same time they overlap one another completely(FIG. 4). The locations of the circumferential angles 127 and 128 can bevaried about the rotary axis 63 and 64 respectively by turning in commonthe dosing plates 82 and 85 about the respective rotary axes, whiletheir relative positions are maintained. The ports 129 and 130 ofcourse, must be maintained within the angle 93 of the delivery orifice91. This setting is important for the distribution of different kinds ofmaterial.

FIG. 14 shows a position of the dosing plates 82 to 85 in which a port131 is formed by the passages 100 and 109 and a further port 132 formedby the passages 116 and 122. The ports 131 and 132 are in such relativepositions that with respect to the direction of rotation 126 the port132 leads with respect to the port 131. This disposition of the ports131 and 132 results in that material passing through the port 131reaches the distribution member and flows along a path towards thecircumference of the distribution member which coincides with the pathalong which the material emanating from the port 132 moves towards thecircumference of the distribution member. The sizes of the ports 131 and132 are smaller than those of the ports 129 and 130 since the dosingplates 82 and 83 and the dosing plates 84 and 85 are relatively arrangedso that the passages 100 and 109 and the passages 116 and 122 coincideonly partly, owing to the selected setting of the dosing plates 84 and85 relative to one another.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 the material leaves the circumferenceof the distribution member over an angle of about 45° so that thedistribution member 4 spreads the material over a relatively narrowsector 136. In the case of a symmetrical disposition relative to theplane 7 of the dosing plates below the bottom 80 the distribution member3 spreads material on a sector lying symmetrically with respect to thevertical plane 7 with the sector covered by the distribution member 4.In the disposition shown in FIG. 14 the distribution members 3 and 4will spread the material on non-overlapping sectors so that during therun of the device the material is deposited on adjacent strips of land.

Within the extreme limits of the size of covered sectors indicated inFIGS. 13 and 14 many different sizes and positions of the sectors may beselected by setting the dosing plates 82 to 85 relatively to one anotherand relatively to the bottom 80 or 81 concerned. The dosing plates canbe set by means of the setting mechanisms (not shown in detail) withwhich the dosing plates are coupled. Therefore, the device is capable ofspreading the material on very narrow strips as well as in very widestrips, while a satisfactory distribution pattern may be invariablyobtained.

Moreover, with such adjustability of the dosing plates a selected smallor large quantity of material can be spread per unit of surface, and thewidth of the surface to be covered in a single run can be widely variedat will. The material may be spread on wide strips during one run and onspaced apart strips on another. Spreading on strips spaced apart fromone another is important for treating row cultures.

As stated above the two distribution members can spread the materialsymmetrically about the plane 7, with the dosing plates 82 to 85 belowthe bottoms 80 and 81 set symmetrical to said plane 7. It is, however,also possible to cause one distribution member to spread the materialalong a selected strip which differs from the that spread from otherdistribution member. For example, one distribution member may spread thematerial in a direction which is different from that of the otherdistribution member. Moreover, the dosing plates of the two dosingmechanisms may be set so that the distribution members spread thematerial in sectors of different widths.

Although in the embodiment shown two distribution members are provided,it is also possible to use the construction of the dosing mechanism 36with four dosing plates 82 to 85 as described above in a spreadingdevice having only one distribution member adapted to move about arotary axis.

From the above-described embodiment of the inventive idea it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that a construction according tothe invention provides a large variety of spreading options. Owing tothe various modes of operation of a device embodying the invention, itcan be economically employed on large as well as small farms.

The relatively independently adjustable four dosing plates provide alarge number of selectable settings. Inasmuch as each dosing plate hastwo passages spaced apart by different distances from the rotary axis, asatisfactory distribution of the material on the distribution member isobtained, while the possibilities of adjustment are enhanced. Inprinciple, it is possible to join the two passages to form a singleopening. For example, the strip 102 between the passages 100 and 101 maybe omitted.

If it is desired to spread a large amount of material per unit area, itis an advantage that a large quantity of material can be carried in eachrun. This is possible by mounting the extension 75 at the top of thehopper 2. When comparatively small quantities of material per surfaceunit have to be spread and in particular, when the material is to bespread in separate strips, the hopper 2 has, in general, sufficientcapacity to carry material for one or more runs. The construction isparticularly advantageous with a hopper 2 having a capacity of fourhundred liters and an extension piece 75 also having a capacity of fourhundred liters. Thus, when the extension piece is used, eight hundredliters of material can be carried.

The size and shape of the hopper 2, as disclosed, are such that it canbe readily pressed from a single piece of metal or otherwise fabricatedfrom a single piece of material. Making the hopper integrally from apiece of material is simplified by using a small height 73 for thedelivery spouts 59 and 60 as compared with the overall height 72. Thusthe capacity of the hopper is maintained as large as possible. It isconsidered advantageous to arrange the distribution members as closelyas possible to one another and to use distribution members of moderatediameter so that the delivery spouts need not be spaced apart by a greatdistance. This structure of the hopper ensures, in addition, asatisfactory flow of material from the hopper through the deliveryspouts.

In this embodiment the diameter 66 of the distribution members is aboutthrity-five centimeters and the distance 65 between the rotary axes 63and 64 of the distribution members is about thrity-seven centimeters.The delivery spouts 59 and 60 can thus be near one another, while by thesame token the overall width of the hopper need not be excessivelygreat. Moreover, owing to the comparatively small diameter and thedisposition of the distribution members near one another the width ofthe frame may be small. Therefore the quantity of material required forconstructing the device is minimized, which is conducive to themanufacture of the frame and the hopper.

The structure of the frame and the hopper shown ensures that itsmanufacture is advantageous and relatively inexpensive. The height ofthe gear box 22 with the horizontal gear wheels 37 to 40 may be small,which is advantageous to provide a low construction. The box 22constitutes a satisfactory stiffening part between the beams 20 and asatisfactory support for the distribution members. Mounting and fixationof the gear box 22 can be readily obtained, since the lower panel 23 isrigidly connected with the beams 20 by means of the bolts 25, while thecover or upper panel 26 can be arranged on the beams 20 independently ofthe securing of lower panel 23.

The diameter of the distribution members may very advantageously be keptsmall, whereas nevertheless the material can be spread over a largewidth, when the distribution members can be rotated at a comparativelyhigh speed. Preferably the speed of rotation exceeds about 1040 rev/minso that the spreading width may amount to, for example, twenty-fourmeters. An advantageous speed of rotation of the distribution membersmay, for example, be 1500 rev/min. Driving the distribution members bymeans of gear wheels, the distribution members being intercoupled by thefour gear wheels 37 to 40, ensures a reliable operation, while therelative positions of the distribution members is maintained.

The adjustment of the speed of rotation of the distribution members canbe simply carried out by removing the cover 51 and replacing the gearwheels 46 and 47 by a different set of gear wheels or by interchangingthem. The cover 51 can, to this end, be readily disengaged from the gearbox 43. The adjustment of the speed of rotation ensures a satisfactorilycontrollable spreading width and a uniform distribution.

The beams 11 and 10 of the frame 1, together with the beam 13 and thegear box 22 constitute a satisfactory connection between the two curvedside beams 5 and 6. Holes 12 in the beam 11 can be used to attach afurther implement to the device, for example, a trailer carryingmaterial to be spread.

Although various features of the spreader described and illustrated inthe drawings, will be set forth in the following claims as inventivefeatures, the invention is not necessarily limited to these features andmay encompasses all inventive features that have been disclosed bothindividually and in various combinations.

Having disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and to be secured byLetters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A device for spreadinggranular and/or powdery material such as fertilizer, seeds or similarmaterial for use in agricultural operations, comprising: a frame; ahopper and at least two side-by-side substantially horizontaldistribution members adapted to move about substantially vertical rotaryaxes, the proximal sides of the two distribution members spaced apart bya distance less than ten percent of the outward circumference of eachand being on either side of first vertical plane containing thelongitudinal center line of the device which extends in the intendeddirection of the device's operative travel; a driving mechanismcomprising an input shaft parallel to said longitudinal center line andextending forwardly centrally where it is adapted to be coupled to thepower take-off shaft of a tractor on which the device is mounted; anintermediate shaft mechanically interconnected with said input shaft bytwo readily interchangeable gears for changing the ratio of input speedto output speed, the axes of rotation of said input shaft and saidintermediate shaft defining a first substantially horizontal plane whichis substantially perpendicular to said first vertical plane, said inputand intermediate shafts and said interchangeable gears being in a firstgear box; a transfer shaft mechanically interconnected with saidintermediate shaft having an axis of rotation substantially normal tosaid first substantially horizontal plane; and means to drive saiddistribution members in opposite rotational directions from saidtransfer shaft comprising an even number of intermeshing spur gears in asecond relatively flat elongated gearbox, the axes of rotation of saidspur gears defining a second substantially vertical plane which isperpendicular to said first substantially horizontal plane and also tosaid first vertical plane, said first gear box being in closejuxaposition with a central portion of said second gear box and saidtransfer shaft extending from said first to said second gear box so thatthe driving mechanism comprising the power train from said input shaftto said distribution members presents a low profile as defined by saidgear boxes.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said proximalsides of said distribution members are spaced apart by a distance ofabout two centimeters and the diameter of each said outwardcircumference is about thirty-five centimeters.
 3. A device as claimedin claim 1, wherein said distribution members are adapted to move aboutrelatively parallel rotary axes which are located in same secondvertical plane.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saiddistribution members rotate at a speed of at least 1040 revolutions perminute.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drivingmechanism comprises said intermeshing spur gears which are arranged insaid second gear box and are drivably in mesh with one another, saidspur gears being arranged between shafts for rotating said distributionmembers and coupling the same with each other.
 6. A device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said second gear box comprises a flat, hollow beamextending between frame parts of the device and a lower panel providedat the ends with coupling plates by which said gear box is fastened tosaid frame parts, said second gear box being further provided with anupper panel which is releasably arranged on said lower panel.
 7. Adevice as claimed in claim 6, wherein said frame parts form supportingbeams coupled at their forward ends with curved parts of side framebeams vertically bent in the form of a U, each said supporting beambeing located between the limbs of the respective said U-shaped sidebeams.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lower limbs ofsaid U-shaped side beams are coupled with one another by two transversebeams, one of which interconnects the ends of said lower limbs of saidU-shaped side beams and is located, as viewed on plan, at leastsubstantially near the rear side of said distribution members.
 9. Adevice as claimed in claim 7, wherein as viewed from side elevation,said first gear box is arranged below said second gear box.
 10. A deviceas claimed in claim 7, wherein said U-shaped side beams of the frame arecoupled with one another by a curved tie beam disposed at a higher levelthan the uppermost aspects of said U-shaped side beams and which isconnected with the upper surfaces of said U-shaped side beams, saidhopper being fastened to said tie beam and further to fastening supportsprovided at the ends of upper limbs of said U-shaped side beams.
 11. Adevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hopper is formed from asingle piece of material.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid hopper has two delivery spouts each of which adjoins a saiddistribution member, at least one said delivery spout being providedwith delivery means movable with respect to said hopper so that theplace where the material is fed to its corresponding said distributionmember is displaceable about the rotary axis of such distribution memberand in a radial direction with respect to said rotary axis, thecircumferential angle through which the material leaves thecircumference of the distribution member being adjustable.
 13. A deviceas claimed in claim 12, wherein said feeding place comprises a firstplace near said rotary axis and a second place farther from said rotaryaxis, both said places being relatively adjustable about said rotaryaxis.
 14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first place andsaid second place are respectively defined by two spaced outlet ports,one of which is radially spaced outboard of the other.
 15. A device asclaimed in claim 14, wherein said ports are formed by at least onedelivery orifice in the bottom of said hopper and by a passage in one ormore dosing plates adjustable with respect to said bottom.
 16. A deviceas claimed in claim 15, wherein said delivery orifice in said bottom islocated forward of said rotary axis viewed with respect to the intendeddirection of operative travel of the device and extends to both sides ofa plane containing said rotary axis and extending in said traveldirection.
 17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said bottom isadjoined by two said dosing plates each of which has two passages spacedapart radially from one another, said passages in one dosing platehaving a different disposition from the passages in the other saiddosing plate, said passages being closable to a greater or less extentindependently of one another.
 18. A device as claimed in claim 17wherein the innermost of said two passages on one of said dosing plateshas a greater width in degrees of arc than the outermost passage thereonand the outermost of said two passages on the other of said dosingplates has a greater width than the innermost passage thereon.
 19. Adevice as claimed in claim 12, wherein said delivery means is formedsymmetrically about the vertical plane which contains the longitudinalcenter line of the device.
 20. A device as claimed in claim 19, whereineach said distribution member is provided with at least one ejectionblade, the blades of the two said distribution members being relativelyangularly off-set so that the ejection blades of the two saiddistribution members are rotated alternately by the point where thedistribution members are nearest one another.
 21. A device as claimed inclaim 19, wherein dosing plates are provided for one distribution memberwhich are adjustable independently of dosing plates provided for otherdistribution member.
 22. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein anextension piece is releasably arranged on the top of said hopper.
 23. Adevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame is provided withfastening members by which the device can be hitched to the three-pointlifting device of a tractor or a similar vehicle.
 24. A low profiledriving mechanism for driving two side-by-side distribution members ofagricultural spreaders for fertilizer and the like at more than oneselected rotational speed in opposite directions, said distributionmembers being disposed under a hopper which has means for deliveringmaterials such as fertilizer or the like separately to each saiddistribution member, the mechanism comprising an input shaft adapted tobe connected to the power take-off shaft of a tractor, an intermediateshaft, readily interchangeable gears connecting said input shaft to saidintermediate shaft, a transfer shaft mechanically interconnected to saidintermediate shaft, an even number of intermeshing spur gears, theoutermost of said spur gears having upstanding shafts which rotaterespective said distribution members, an innermost said spur gear beingrotated by said transfer shaft, said input shaft extending under atleast one innermost said spur gear and extending forwardly relativethereto while said interchangeable gears are located rearwardly relativethereto, said input shaft and said intermediate shaft beingsubstantially horizontal, said transfer shaft and said upstanding shaftsbeing substantially vertical.
 25. A mechanism as claimed in claim 24comprising a horizontal, transverse elongated relatively flat gear boxin which said spur gears are mounted and a frame for supporting saidhopper having two horizontal beams extending respectively on theoutboard sides of said distribution members, said gear box mountedbetween and connected to said horizontal beams.
 26. A mechanism asclaimed in claim 25 comprising a further gear box for said input shaft,said intermediate shaft and said interchangeable gears which iscentrally supported from said first-mentioned gear box, said input shaftextending out of the forward side of said further gear box and a closurewhich can be readily opend and closed being disposed on the rear of saidfurther gear box and immediately to the rear of said interchangeablegears to facilitate rapid manual interchange of said interchangeablegears.
 27. A mechanism as claimed in claim 25 wherein said framecomprises a pair of outboard U-shaped side beams having horizontallimbs, a respective said side beam being mounted on each side of eachsaid distribution members, a respective said horizontal beam beingdisposed between said corresponding horizontal limbs of each said sidebeam and being rigidly connected thereto by a stiffening plate whichconnects said horizontal beam to at least one of said horizontal limbsof the corresponding said side beam, the free ends of said horizontallimbs extending to the rear and coupling means for coupling said frameto the lifting device of a tractor being rigidly secured to the foremostpart of each said side beam.
 28. A device for spreading granular orpowdery material such as fertilizer and seed which comprises:a hopperfor said material; a rotatable distribution member disposed under saidhopper, said distribution member revolving about a substantiallyvertical axis; a dosing mechanism at the bottom of said hoppercomprising said bottom and at least two superimposed dosing plates whicheach define two radially-spaced passages, said plates being selectivelymovable relative to said axis, said dosing mechanism including saidradially-spaced passages, defining two delivery openings, the first ofsaid delivery openings being adjacent said axis and inboard the secondof said delivery openings which is spaced outboard the first, saiddelivery openings being independently adjustable within limits of saidradially-spaced passages' angular relationship to each other relative tosaid axis and said hopper so that the directions and widths of sectorsof material ejected by said distribution member can be adjusted, anoutboard of said passages extending a greater width in degrees of arcthan an inboard said passage on one of said dosing plates and an inboardof said passages extending a greater width in degrees of arc than anoutboard said passage on the other of said dosing plates.